Compare 51301 internet speeds to the national average
Download Speeds
Spencer – 74 Mbps
IA – 100 Mbps
U.S. – 123 Mbps
Upload Speeds
Spencer – 29 Mbps
IA – 47 Mbps
U.S. – 44 Mbps
*Data sourced from M-LAB speed tests taken by real users in Spencer.
Internet providers in 51301
Internet providers in your area
51301 internet providers
| Provider | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CenturyLink | $50.00 ** | 10 - 940 Mbps | DSL | 95% |
| Mediacom | $19.99 | 100 - 1,000 Mbps | Cable | 97% |
Spencer Municipal Utilities  | $35.00 | 1 - 1,000 Mbps | Cable | 97% |
| Spencer Municipal Utilities | $35.00 | 1 - 1,000 Mbps | Fiber-optic | 97% |
| Terril Telephone Cooperative | $35.95 | 4 - 100 Mbps | DSL | 13% |
| River Valley Telecommunications Cooperative | $45.00 | 25 - 100 Mbps | DSL | 8.830% |
| Farmers Coop Telephone Company | $49.95 | 25 - 100 Mbps | DSL | 2.600% |
| Farmers Coop Telephone Company | $49.95 | 25 - 100 Mbps | Fiber-optic | 2.600% |
| ET Deployment | $56.95 | 15 - 50 Mbps | Fiber-optic | 0.110% |
| HughesNet | $64.99 | 25 - 25 Mbps | Satellite | 100% |
| Viasat | $69.99 | 12 - 150 Mbps | Satellite | 100% |
| IGL TeleConnect | $48.00 | 6 - 12 Mbps | Wireless | 15% |
| River Valley Telecommunications Cooperative | $45.00 | 25 - 100 Mbps | Wireless | 8.830% |
| Ayrshire Farmers Mutual Telephone Company | $39.95 | - | Wireless | 6.230% |
| ET Deployment | $56.95 | 15 - 50 Mbps | Wireless | 6.190% |
*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. As of Sep 23, 2022.
**Speeds/pricing may vary. Service is not available everywhere.
Need help?51301 internet service at a glance
Broadband availability
5350
people have access to broadband internet of any type
1 provider - 98.96%
2 providers - 97.48%
3 providers - 95.70%
4+ providers - 23.81%
Source: FCC
At 97%, broadband coverage in the 51301 ZIP code is comparable to the rest of Iowa - 96%, and comparable to broadband coverage across the U.S. - 95%.
The vast majority of those living in the 51301 ZIP will have access to cable, which covers 97% of households. Fiber-optic internet is also an option for many, offering service to 97% of the area. DSL is less available but still a popular internet option for roughly 29% of those living in the 51301 ZIP code.
There are 11 internet providers serving the 51301 area, and 97.48% of households will have internet options from more than one provider. Among 11 internet providers in 51301, prices start at $19.99 and available download speeds reach up to 1,000 Mbps.
Results from real users
Average internet speeds in Spencer
| Provider | Download speed | Upload speed | Internet type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mediacom | 112 Mbps | 24 Mbps | Cable |
| Spencer Municipal Utilities | 108 Mbps | 59 Mbps | Cable |
| CenturyLink | 6 Mbps | 1 Mbps | DSL |
| IGL TeleConnect | 55 Mbps | 11 Mbps | Wireless |
*Data sourced from M-LAB speed tests taken by real users in Spencer.
Top high-speed internet providers in 51301
The largest internet providers serving the 51301 ZIP code are CenturyLink, Mediacom, and Spencer Municipal Utilities bringing DSL and cable options to the area.
DSL internet from CenturyLink is available to nearly all in the 51301 ZIP code, covering 95% of households. Many will also have the option of cable from Mediacom, which covers 97% of the area. Spencer’s third most-available internet provider, Spencer Municipal Utilities, offers cable to around 97% of residents in the 51301 ZIP code.
CenturyLink DSL internet
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*Wireless speeds may vary. Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. As of Sep 23, 2022.
DSL from CenturyLink offers broadband to nearly all households in the 51301 ZIP code, covering 95% of the area.
DSL internet from CenturyLink uses telephone lines to deliver service, which often leads to lower prices and higher availability, though download speeds are likely to be slower than cable or fiber-optic internet.
Internet prices for CenturyLink start at $50/mo.*, which is about the same as the average starting price for internet in Spencer, $46.89.
CenturyLink customers who choose the lowest-priced plan can expect speeds up to 10 Mbps, which comes to an estimated $5.00 per Mbps, significantly higher than the average cost per Mbps for the lowest priced plans in Spencer, $1.74.
For those who value internet speed as much as cost, CenturyLink offers download speeds up to 940 Mbps and upload speeds up to 2 Mbps in 51301 ZIP code. These download speeds are available to 95% of the area, and are much faster than the average max speeds from all Spencer's providers, 298 Mbps.
Mediacom cable internet
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*Wireless speeds may vary. Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. As of Sep 23, 2022.
Cable from Mediacom offers broadband to nearly all households in the 51301 ZIP code, covering 97% of the area.
Mediacom’s cable network is likely to offer faster speeds than DSL or satellite service, but 51301 residents in densely populated areas may experience slowed speeds during peak usage times.
Internet prices for Mediacom start at $19.99/mo.*, which is significantly lower than the average starting price for internet in Spencer, $46.89.
Mediacom customers who choose the lowest-priced plan can expect speeds up to 100 Mbps, which comes to an estimated $0.20 per Mbps, lower than the average cost per Mbps for the lowest priced plans in Spencer, $1.74.
For those who value internet speed as much as cost, Mediacom offers download speeds up to 1,000 Mbps and upload speeds up to 50 Mbps in 51301 ZIP code. These download speeds are available to 97% of the area, and are much faster than the average max speeds from all Spencer's providers, 298 Mbps.
Spencer Municipal Utilities cable internet
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*Wireless speeds may vary. Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. As of Sep 23, 2022.
Cable from Spencer Municipal Utilities offers broadband to nearly all households in the 51301 ZIP code, covering 97% of the area.
Spencer Municipal Utilities’s cable network is likely to offer faster speeds than DSL or satellite service, but 51301 residents in densely populated areas may experience slowed speeds during peak usage times.
Internet prices for Spencer Municipal Utilities start at $35/mo.*, which is significantly lower than the average starting price for internet in Spencer, $46.89.
Spencer Municipal Utilities customers who choose the lowest-priced plan can expect speeds up to 1 Mbps, which comes to an estimated $35.00 per Mbps, significantly higher than the average cost per Mbps for the lowest priced plans in Spencer, $1.74.
For those who value internet speed as much as cost, Spencer Municipal Utilities offers download speeds up to 1,000 Mbps and upload speeds up to 20 Mbps in 51301 ZIP code. These download speeds are available to 97% of the area, and are much faster than the average max speeds from all Spencer's providers, 298 Mbps.
Internet coverage for rural areas
If you have limited cable, DSL and fiber-optic internet options in the 51301 ZIP code, satellite and fixed wireless providers may be available.
Satellite internet from HughesNet and Viasat offers 100% availability in 51301 and the greater Spencer area. HughesNet starting prices are significantly higher than average in Spencer at $64.99/mo. for speeds up to 25 Mbps. Viasat starting prices are significantly higher than average in Spencer at $69.99/mo. for speeds up to 150 Mbps. Satellite internet is a less appealing option for many in the 51301 ZIP, however, as service typically comes with high latency and low data allowances.
Fixed wireless is another popular internet option for those in rural areas. Those living in or just outside of Spencer may have access to fixed wireless internet service from HughesNet, with plans starting at $64.99 and available download speeds up to 25 Mbps. Fixed wireless service is less likely to come with the high latency of satellite internet, but monthly data limits can still be an issue compared to Spencer cable, fiber-optic, and DSL internet providers.
Internet providers in 51301 frequently asked questions
Mediacom is the fastest internet provider in the 51301 ZIP code with download speeds up to 1,000 Mbps. These speeds are available to 97% of households in 51301. The next fastest internet provider in the 51301 ZIP code is Spencer Municipal Utilities, offering download speeds up to 1,000 Mbps to 97% of the area.
Mediacom offers the cheapest internet in the 51301 ZIP with service starting at $19.99/mo. This is significantly less than the average starting price for internet in Spencer, $46.89.
Spencer Municipal Utilities is the largest fiber-optic internet service provider serving the 51301 ZIP code, covering 97% of the city. Farmers Coop Telephone Company also offers fiber internet in 51301 and is available to 2.600% of households.
Learn the penalty, if any, of canceling service with your current provider. Find other internet providers in your area and compare plans and pricing. Choose the internet provider and plan that best meets your needs. Order your new services and get your installation/activation date. Call your current internet provider and cancel service by the activation date of your new service.
Download speeds of 25 Mbps and above are considered broadband speeds, and can handle most online activities including streaming and gaming. For households with multiple devices using a Wi-Fi connection, speeds of 100 Mbps and higher are likely to offer a better online experience. Learn more about what speeds are best for your home.
Available providers vary by address, but your location is likely serviceable for cable and DSL internet. Fiber internet may also be an internet option, but this technology is typically found in larger cities. Those living in rural areas not serviceable for cable, DSL or fiber internet may find satellite or fixed wireless internet to be their only options.
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